Atomic-resonance-enhanced nonlinear optical frequency conversion with entangled photon pairs

Abstract

We theoretically study nonlinear optical frequency conversion with time-frequency entangled paired photons whose sum frequency is on two-photon resonance of an atomic ensemble. Assisted by a strong coupling laser, two paired photons with wide spectrum are converted into a single monochromatic photon. The on-resonance nonlinear process is made possible due to the electromagnetically induced transparency that not only eliminates the on-resonance absorption but also enhances the nonlinear interaction between the single photons and atoms. Compared to this quantum-nonlinear conversion, the classical corresponding single-photon counts from accidental two-photon coincidence has a wide spectrum and experiences large absorption. As a result, the system can be used as an efficient two-photon quantum correlator in which the classical accidental coincidences can be suppressed. We perform numerical simulations basing on a Rb atomic vapor cell with realistic operating parameters. © 2011 American Physical Society.